Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6) and hair

I saw somewhere that a study showed inositol hexaphosphate plus some B vitamins helped arrest or regrow hair in some balding patients. Does anyone have the actual study on this? Or know the dosing that was used? Thanks.

Inositol hexaphosphate, also known as phytate, is a component of most cereal grains and seeds, occurring in conjunction with plant fiber, and is a source of myo-inositol in the diet. Inositol hexaphosphate is responsible for storing more than 80 percent of the total phosphate in cereals and legumes. Phytate has strong chelating power for doubly charged metal ions, such as magnesium, calcium and zinc. Some studies suggest that phytate may slow tumor growth rates.

Inositol hexaphosphate, in addition to being known as phytate, is known as myo-inositol hexaphosphate, and myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate. Inositol hexaphosphate is abbreviated as InsP6 and sometimes as IP-6. The structural formula is:

Inositol hexaphosphate

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

ACTIONS

Inositol hexaphosphate is a putative antiproliferative agent and may have antioxidant activity.

MECHANISM OF ACTIONS

Some speculate that inositol hexaphosphate's possible antiproliferative activity is due to its chelating divalent cations which may be important for tumor growth. Others speculate that inositol hexaphosphate, along with inositol, are metabolized to inositol triphosphates, which are believed to be involved in cell signaling and regulating cell growth, and that this may underlie its possible effects. Chelation by inositol hexaphosphate of ferrous cations could inhibit the Fenton reaction, a reaction which generates reactive oxygen species. Enhancement of natural killer cell activity is offered as still another speculative mechanism.

PHARMACOKINETICS

It is unclear how much inositol hexaphosphate is absorbed in humans following ingestion. Inositol hexaphosphate may, in part, be hydrolyzed to myo-inositol. (See myo-inositol.)

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

There is preliminary evidence that inositol hexaphosphate may eventually find some use in the treatment of some cancers.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

A few studies performed in vitro and in animal models suggest that inositol hexaphosphate inhibits some cancers, specifically epithelial cancers, including breast and colon cancers. It has also significantly inhibited human rhabdomyosarcoma in an animal model. More research is needed to see whether this substance can play a role in the clinical treatment of some cancers. There is some epidemiologic data suggesting that dietary phytate may have chemopreventive activity.

CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None known.

PRECAUTIONS

Supplemental inositol hexaphosphate should be avoided by pregnant women and nursing mothers, due to lack of long-term safety studies.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

No significant adverse effects were noted in one report on the use of a daily dose of 8.8 grams of inositol hexaphosphate taken for several months.

INTERACTIONS

Inositol hexaphosphate may form chelates with divalent cations such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper and iron found in foods, if taken with foods or nutritional supplements containing these elements. It may also interact with food proteins.